Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu & Eevee Review Roundup

Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu & Let's Go Eevee might not be the core RPG some fans were hoping for, but it does mark the first major Pokemon game released on Nintendo Switch. The pair are designed to act as a form of bridge between the mainline series and Pokemon Go, with a simpler throwing mechanic for catching new creatures and a stripped-down combat system.

The big question, however, is: are they any good? With the games' release date fast approaching, reviews have begun to go live. GameSpot's Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu / Eevee review-in-progress awarded the games an 8/10, with critic Jake Dekker stating they "take the Pokemon formula in some exciting new directions." Read on for a wider selection of reviews, or check out GameSpot sister site Metacritic for more.

• Game: Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu / Let's Go Eevee
• Platform: Nintendo Switch
• Developer / publisher: Game Freak / The Pokemon Company, Nintendo
• Release date: November 16
• Price: US $60 / £50 / AU $80

GameSpot -- 8/10 (Review-in-progress)

"Despite concessions, Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee are delightful reimaginings of the series' origins and a deep RPG in their own right. It makes a lot of smart improvements on the original Red, Blue and Yellow while holding on to what made them so special in the first place. Fans of the series might be let down by the lack of features they've come to expect, but Let's Go Pikachu and Let's Go Eevee take the Pokemon formula in some exciting new directions." -- Jake Dekker [Full review]

IGN -- 8.3/10

"Returning to Kanto in Pokemon: Let’s Go Pikachu or Eevee is almost as much fun and as heartwarming as I'd hoped it would be with its fresh, colorful design and new mechanics. Pikachu and Eevee are adorable, overpowered leads with the capability to learn some incredible moves, and they feel special both in and out of battle. The Pokemon Go catching system is a more relaxing way to fill out the Pokedex and grind for experience, and I never felt like I was missing out on battles because of it. Kanto is littered with charismatic trainers ready to fight. Some irritating UI design and issues with its motion controls add up to be a minor annoyance, but the addicting capture cycle and great challenges in the post-game keep me coming back to play." -- Miranda Sanchez [Full review]

Eurogamer -- Recommended

"Important as looks may be to the world of Pokemon, as much as it has its quirks, as much as it can be uneven--how I wish, at times, that it would stop trying to be cute and just let the world do the talking, instead of flying straight past cute and into excessively twee, as it often does - Let's Go has succeeded almost everywhere else. Miraculously, I think it works, for both the little one curled up in that back seat and this big one, who really wishes he didn't have to drive." -- Chris Tapsell [Full review]

Polygon -- No score

"I will always find something comforting about the Kanto region, a place that feels as familiar to me now as any place I've lived in. And the undeniable cuteness of becoming best friends with Eevee is a touch that almost by itself justifies playing through the game. Shedding expectations about what Pokemon is supposed to be is the toughest challenge here, more than trying to become a Pokemon master. But we’re now in a new era of Pokemon, with a new generation of young trainers. Maybe the only way forward is to let go of the past." -- Allegra Frank [Full review]

The Independent -- No score

"Remarkably, Let's Go Eevee and Pikachu manages to remix the worn formula without breaking it, serving up a nostalgic game that feels like classic Pokemon. Here's hoping the next core Switch game builds on this for a completely fresh adventure." -- Jack Shepherd [Full review]